IRVINGTON -- A Superior Court jury found a 27-year-old man guilty of a carjacking that occurred here last year, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced today. A 2-year-old girl was in the car when it was stolen, but she was not hurt.

The jury on Friday found Jarrett Parker guilty of first-degree carjacking, but not guilty of first-degree kidnapping and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, said Timothy Shaughnessy, Essex County assistant prosecutor, who handled the case.

Parker faces up to 30 years in prison, and possibly more, because he has two prior criminal convictions, Shaughnessy said. He will be sentenced Jan. 15.

Parker’s attorney, Rosalyn Charles, said the verdict will be appealed.

According to prosecutors, Parker drove off in a Honda that belonged to a 19-year-old man, after the two had gotten into a fight on the 300 block of Union Avenue on Aug. 6, 2008, at about 11 p.m.

Parker crashed the car a short distance away and ran off, with the baby still inside the vehicle. At trial, Parker acknowledged getting into the fight, but claimed someone else had stolen the Honda, his attorney said.

Google MapsThe 300 block of Union Avenue in Irvington, where a 27-year-old man stole a car with a child inside in August 2008. He was found guilty today of carjacking, but found not guilty of kidnapping.